NTSB Factual Report

On January 4, 2003, at 2047 central standard time, a Cessna 310R, N37221, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain during a GPS approach to runway 33 at Norman County Ada-Twin Valley Airport (D00), Ada, Minnesota. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries, the right front seat passenger was uninjured, and the rear seat pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Black Hills-Clyde Ice Field Airport, Spearfish, South Dakota, at 1730 mountain standard time.

The pilot reported the aircraft entered icing conditions. The pilot indicated he was "engrossed in maintaining blue line airspeed."

The passenger occupying the rear seat, who was a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, reported the anti-icing boots along the leading edges of the wings were working. The passenger further stated the pilot was, "too busy looking for the runway." The passenger reported observing the altitude of the aircraft as 1,000-1,300 feet above sea level prior to impact with terrain. The passenger further noted he "was getting ready to say something to the pilot prior to impacting."

The weather observation facility at Fargo, North Dakota, 27 nautical miles southwest of the accident site reported the weather at 2053 as: winds 320 degrees at 10 knots, 6 statute miles visibility in mist, overcast ceiling at 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL), temperature -3 degrees Celsius (C), dew point -4 degrees C, altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury, ceiling variable from 500 feet AGL to 1300 feet AGL.

The pilot reported that this accident could have been avoided if he had landed at his alternate airport, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A low ceiling was a factor.